The Inheritance Imprint: Birth of the Symbiotic Heaven Soul

Lu Xuan's voice came from nearby.

"The Inheritance Imprint won't hurt you. It will only merge our clan's inherited power into your soul. All you need to do is guide that power and fuse it with your Symbiotic Power and the power of your Soul Spirits."

Xiao Shenghe nodded, closed his eyes, and relaxed his mind.

He felt a gentle yet mighty force pour from the pillar of light into his body. It flowed through his meridians and gathered deep within his soul.

The force carried the Clouded Deer's Inheritance Mark. Within it lay the wisdom and strength of countless ancestors, along with the secrets of Symbiosis with Nature.

At the same time, his Symbiotic Link with Lu Yao answered its call. A silver-and-jade halo flared, intertwining with the azure-gold power of the inheritance.

His soul links with the Skyvault Bamboo King and the Tigerfang Blazing Panda trembled as well. Two streams of Soul Power in different colors surged from the depths of his soul and joined the power of the inheritance.

The four powers met and fused deep within his soul, forming a dazzling, multicolored current that washed over his soul and Martial Soul again and again.

Under that current, his Heaven Soul Martial Soul began to change dramatically.

Its silvery-white wings grew broader. The jade flecks along their edges, the azure-gold patterns, and the orange-red Flame Mark became clearer. Intricate runes appeared across the wings, radiating a mysterious aura.

The evolution of his Martial Soul drove his Soul Power upward.

Level 26, level 27, level 28... His Soul Power soared without pause.

Lu Yao stood nearby, clearly sensing the changes in Xiao Shenghe. Joy filled her face.

She also felt her Symbiotic Link with him grow closer. As his power rose, her own strength increased too.

Lu Xue and Lu Xuan stood to one side, watching Xiao Shenghe closely, anticipation on their faces.

They could sense how resilient his soul was. Its fusion with the three powers was proceeding smoothly, without the slightest sign of rejection.

The Skyvault Bamboo King and the Tigerfang Blazing Panda watched quietly as well. They felt the power within Xiao Shenghe grow ever stronger, answering their own powers and forming a unique balance.

Time passed. The pillar of light gradually dimmed, and the power within Xiao Shenghe settled.

At last, the Inheritance Imprint was complete.

The pillar of light vanished. The towering Skyvault Bamboo fell still, its azure-gold Soul Power slowly withdrawing.

Xiao Shenghe opened his eyes. A dazzling, multicolored light flashed through them, then faded.

He felt his soul had grown immensely powerful. His Martial Soul had completed its evolution, and his strength had reached Level 30 Soul Elder!

What was more, he could clearly feel his bonds with Lu Yao, the Skyvault Bamboo King, and the Tigerfang Blazing Panda had grown closer.

He could call upon part of Lu Yao's Soul Power at any time, draw on the Skyvault Bamboo King's power to control wood and the Tigerfang Blazing Panda's ferocious strength, and even speak with them soul to soul. Without a word, they could understand one another's thoughts.

It worked! Xiao Shenghe's heart surged with excitement. Compared to before, his strength had changed as utterly as heaven and earth turning upside down.

Lu Xuan stepped forward with a gratified smile.

"Congratulations, Shenghe. The Inheritance Imprint was a complete success. Your Martial Soul has evolved into the Symbiotic Heaven Soul. It retains the traits of a Body Martial Soul while incorporating the powers of the Clouded Deer, the Skyvault Bamboo King, and the Tigerfang Blazing Panda. Its potential is boundless."

Lu Xue nodded too.

"A Level 30 Soul Elder with two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Spirits—there's never been anyone like you on all of Douluo Continent. Shenghe, a far wider road lies ahead of you."

Xiao Shenghe quickly cupped his hands in salute.

"Thank you, High Priestess. Thank you, Clan Leader Lu. Without your help, I could never have come this far."

The Tigerfang Blazing Panda came forward and patted Xiao Shenghe's shoulder. "Not bad, kid. You're a Soul Elder now. When you go out into the world, don't forget us two Soul Spirits."

The Skyvault Bamboo King spoke as well.

"Your growing strength benefits us too. From now on, we'll be one another's strongest support."

Xiao Shenghe smiled.

"Rest assured, seniors. I'll never forget you. If either of you runs into trouble, I'll do everything I can to help."

Lu Xuan glanced at the sky.

"The inheritance is complete. We should head back. Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo are still waiting outside, and I'm sure they're eager to hear the outcome."

Xiao Shenghe nodded.

"All right."

The group headed out of the bamboo forest. Xiao Shenghe and Lu Yao walked side by side at the front, their silver-and-jade halo mingling with azure-gold and orange-red Soul Power in a striking display.

As they emerged from the Skyvault Bamboo Forest, Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Gu Rong hurried over.

"Shenghe, how did it go? Did the inheritance go smoothly?"

Chen Xin asked urgently, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Shenghe. Surprise flickered in his eyes. Xiao Shenghe's aura was far stronger than before—he had reached the Soul Elder realm.

Gu Rong leaned in too. His gaunt fingers traced a point in the air as he probed Xiao Shenghe with Soul Power.

"A Level 30 Soul Elder? How long has it been? You've risen six levels already! And why are there two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast auras inside you?"

Xiao Shenghe smiled and briefly recounted what had happened in the Skyvault Bamboo Forest, including how he had signed Symbiotic Contracts with the Skyvault Bamboo King and the Tigerfang Blazing Panda.

"What?!"

Chen Xin and Gu Rong cried out together, disbelief plain on their faces.

"You signed contracts with Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts and made them Soul Spirits without hunting Soul Beasts or absorbing Soul Rings?"

Chen Xin's eyes widened.

"The Clouded Deer's Secret of Symbiosis is unbelievable!"

Gu Rong nodded repeatedly.

"Two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Spirits, and you signed both contracts at once! If word gets out, the whole Douluo Continent will be shaken. Shenghe, you lucky rascal—the heavens dropped a fortune straight into your lap!"

Lu Xuan stepped forward.

"Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, this wasn't just luck. Shenghe and Yao'er understand each other's hearts. He also had the resolve and courage to pass the trials of two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts and sign the contracts. He earned all of this."

Lu Xue added,

"The Secret of Symbiosis rests on coexistence between equals. It's entirely different from the Soul Ring system. Shenghe and these two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts are partners, not master and servants. Perhaps this path truly can open a new way forward for human Soul Masters and Soul Beasts."

Chen Xin fell silent for a moment, his eyes filled with emotion.

"Coexistence between equals... If it truly works, perhaps it could lessen the conflict between humans and Soul Beasts. I've lived a long life, but I've never seen anything like this."

Gu Rong nodded too.

"This Secret of Symbiosis is a remarkable creation. Shenghe, use this power well. Don't squander this opportunity, or the trust these two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts have placed in you."

"I understand. Thank you, Grandpa Sword. Thank you, Grandpa Bone."

Xiao Shenghe nodded, his gaze steady.

Lu Xuan said,

"The inheritance is complete and the contracts are signed. It's time we headed to our next destination!"

Chen Xin smiled.

"Good!"

Gu Rong added,

"Perfect. I'd like to see how many little-known Soul Beasts are still out there."